Meet Thomas Lee Young: The Caribbean-born Innovator Transforming Industrial Safety with AI
Thomas Lee Young is not your typical Silicon Valley founder. At just 24 years old, this CEO of Interface, a startup based in San Francisco, is harnessing AI technology to prevent industrial accidents. With a Caribbean accent and a Chinese last name, Young’s unique background adds a compelling twist to his entrepreneurial journey. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, he grew up surrounded by oil rigs and energy infrastructure, thanks to a family legacy of engineering.
A Unique Journey to Silicon Valley
Young’s upbringing in a nation known for its oil and gas activities laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. While attending school, he became fixated on the idea of studying at Caltech, dreaming big as he immersed himself in Silicon Valley content online. With determination, he crafted an application essay showcasing a project where he hijacked his family’s Roomba to create 3D maps of their home, ultimately earning acceptance in 2020.
However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen obstacles. Visa processing delays and a sharp decline in the market impacted his college fund. Faced with limited options, he pivoted to a more affordable engineering program at the University of Bristol in the UK, while never relinquishing his Silicon Valley dreams. “I was devastated,” he recalls, “but I realized I could still get something done.”
Innovating from the Ground Up
While studying at Bristol, Young gained practical experience at Jaguar Land Rover, focusing on human factors engineering—essentially how to optimize user experience and safety in industrial settings. It was during this time that he identified a significant gap in the market: many companies relied on outdated and poorly designed safety documentation, which often left workers vulnerable to preventable accidents.
Despite pitching his innovative safety solution to Jaguar, the company showed little interest, prompting Young to seek new opportunities. He stumbled upon Entrepreneur First (EF), a talent incubator with a notorious 1% acceptance rate. Undeterred, he cold applied and was selected to pitch himself.
To pursue this opportunity, he cleverly informed Jaguar that he would be attending a wedding in Trinidad. Instead, he participated in EF’s selection process and returned to work only to resign almost immediately. “They realized, ‘Oh, so you probably weren’t at a wedding,’” he chuckles.
A Partnership Forged in Innovation
At EF, Young met his future co-founder and CTO, Aaryan Mehta, whose own journey to the U.S. had been thwarted by visa issues during the pandemic. Hailing from Indian descent but raised in Belgium, Mehta had amassed impressive experience in AI and machine learning at Amazon before teaming up with Young. “We had similar backgrounds,” Young shares. “He’s super international. He speaks five languages, very technical, amazing guy.”
Transforming Heavy Industry with AI
Interface aims to revolutionize safety in heavy industries by using AI to autonomously audit operating procedures. Their platform cross-checks safety instructions against regulations, catching errors before they lead to potentially fatal accidents. In just a short time, Interface identified over 10,800 errors in the standard operating procedures of one of Canada’s largest energy companies—errors that if left unchecked could have severe consequences.
The initial approach to pricing focused on results, yet the company quickly shifted to a hybrid model that proved more acceptable to clients. Young disclosed that a single contract with one Canadian firm is worth over $2.5 million annually, opening the door for further partnerships in Houston, Guyana, and Brazil as the demand for their services escalates.
The Power of an Outsider’s Perspective
Interestingly, Young’s age and distinct background have become his secret weapons in an industry filled with veterans. He often faces skepticism when he enters boardrooms filled with executives twice or thrice his age. “Who the hell is this young guy and how does he know what he’s talking about?” he says they think. However, he swiftly turns those doubts around by showcasing a deep understanding of operational realities and illustrating the financial savings Interface can deliver. “Once you can flip them, they will absolutely love you and advocate and fight for you,” he explains.
While he operates mostly from Interface’s office in San Francisco, Young keeps a hard hat handy, ready for site visits to maintain a connection with the ground realities of the industries he serves. With a fast-growing team of eight, the company faces the challenge of scaling rapidly to meet increasing demand.
Silicon Valley Dreams Realized
Reflecting on his journey, Young marvels at how closely the Silicon Valley clichés align with reality. “I think back to what life was like in Trinidad. People don’t believe me when I share these experiences.” Despite the challenges, he finds the work thrilling, noting, “Over the last month, I have not done much at all outside the office, because there’s just been so much intensity with building, hiring, and selling. But I feel pretty strong,” he adds.
Conclusion
Thomas Young is a testament to how diverse backgrounds can serve as a foundation for groundbreaking innovation. With a mission to enhance safety in heavy industries through AI, his journey demonstrates that dedication and fresh perspectives can rewrite the rules in even the most established sectors. As Interface continues to grow, it will be fascinating to see how this young entrepreneur shapes the future of industrial safety.
